A taste of the Olympics

Check out these worldly restaurants from around Houston.

By By Syd Kearney. Photos compiled by Andrea Waguespack.

on February 17, 2014 3:10 PM

Photo: James Nielsen

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While Olympic athletes are hungry for a gold metal, we Houstonians are just plain hungry. Try a bite at one of these worldly restaurants in the Bayou City, each one of which represents a country that's competing in Sochi. BelgiumCafe Brussels: Catherine Duwez’s menu is strong on mussels, crepes and stout Belgian beers. Her presence in the dining room is nothing short of charming. 1718 Houston, 713-222-6996 less

While Olympic athletes are hungry for a gold metal, we Houstonians are just plain hungry. Try a bite at one of these worldly restaurants in the Bayou City, each one of which represents a country that's ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, For The Chronicle

While Olympic athletes are hungry for a gold metal, we Houstonians... Photo-4989135.80152 - Houston Chronicle

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Chef/owner of Cafe Brussels Catherine Duwez. The Belgian restaurant is located at 1718 Houston Ave.

Chef/owner of Cafe Brussels Catherine Duwez. The Belgian restaurant is located at 1718 Houston Ave.

Bosnia and HerzegovinaCafe Pita +: This comfortable diner serves rustic Bosnian fare such as stuffed cabbage and flaky bureks (potato and onion-filled pastries). Two more reasons to seek this spot out: The prices are reasonable and it’s BYOB. 10852 Westheimer, 713-953-7237; 5506 Richmond, 832-530-4935 less

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cafe Pita +: This comfortable diner serves rustic Bosnian fare such as stuffed cabbage and flaky bureks (potato and onion-filled pastries). Two more reasons to seek this spot out: The ... more

BrazilTradicao: At this homegrown, family-owned all-you-can-eat steakhouse, long skewers of grilled meats are paraded around the dining room. On any given night, you’ll be offered more than a dozen choices of meat and fish. 12000 U.S. 59 S., 713-339-1122; 201 W. Bay Area, Webster, 281-557-9999 less

Brazil
Tradicao: At this homegrown, family-owned all-you-can-eat steakhouse, long skewers of grilled meats are paraded around the dining room. On any given night, you’ll be offered more than a dozen choices of ... more

FranceKris Bistro: Located in Culinary Institute LeNotre,
executive chef Kris Jakob’s modern, art-filled bistro features a staff
of experienced chefs and senior culinary students. The fare is French
with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Breads and pastries are
all made in-house. The wine menu is dominated by French wines selected
simply because they play well with the food. 7070 Allensby, 713-358-5079 less

France
Kris Bistro: Located in Culinary Institute LeNotre, executive chef Kris Jakob’s modern, art-filled bistro features a staff of experienced chefs and senior culinary students. The fare is French ... more

The dining room is set up for elegant dining at Kris Bistro. Photo-5148062.80152 - Houston Chronicle

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GermanyKing’s Biergarten: Oh, how we love Texas and its happy combos. Biergarten and car wash, you bet. This family-operated cafe boasts an extensive patio and an even bigger menu of Austrian and German specialties, including bratwurst, schnitzel, red cabbage, bacon dumplings, goulash and homemade apple strudel. There’s also a fine selection of German beers on draft. Prost! 1329 E. Broadway, Pearland, 832-569-4141 less

Germany
King’s Biergarten: Oh, how we love Texas and its happy combos. Biergarten and car wash, you bet. This family-operated cafe boasts an extensive patio and an even bigger menu of Austrian and German ... more

GreeceNiko Niko’s: Well-known for its incredibly yummy Greek
food. It’s also well-known for the lines that form during peak weekend
hours. The atmosphere is like a Mediterranean burger joint. The food,
however, is worth the wait. Large portion sizes make the prices fair and
the outside patio is nice for people-watching. 2520 Montrose,
713-528-1308; 301 Milam, 713-224-4976 H less

Greece
Niko Niko’s: Well-known for its incredibly yummy Greek food. It’s also well-known for the lines that form during peak weekend hours. The atmosphere is like a Mediterranean burger joint. The food, ... more

JapanKata Robata: Chef Manabu Horiuchi — known as Hori-san to the legion of foodies who pack the sushi bar at this River Oaks restaurant — has a gift with fish. And what is served here is among the most carefully sourced protein in town. 3600 Kirby, 713-526-8858 less

Japan
Kata Robata: Chef Manabu Horiuchi — known as Hori-san to the legion of foodies who pack the sushi bar at this River Oaks restaurant — has a gift with fish. And what is served here is among the most ... more

MexicanLa Fisheria: Chef Aquiles Chavez is a reality-TV star in his native country. In Houston, he’s offering his modern take on Mexico’s favorite seafood dishes, including grilled octopus, marinated oysters and shrimp-topped flatbreads. 4705 Inker, 713-802-1712 less

Mexican
La Fisheria: Chef Aquiles Chavez is a reality-TV star in his native country. In Houston, he’s offering his modern take on Mexico’s favorite seafood dishes, including grilled octopus, marinated ... more

NicaraguaChurrascos: It’s a local dining monument. The fine seafood, South American wines and accommodating service are other attractions at the restaurants that launched the Cordúa empire. 9705 Westheimer, 713-952-1988; 2055 Westheimer, 713-527-8300; 520 Lake Pointe Parkway, Sugar Land, 832-532-5300 less

Nicaragua
Churrascos: It’s a local dining monument. The fine seafood, South American wines and accommodating service are other attractions at the restaurants that launched the Cordúa empire. 9705 Westheimer, ... more

Churrascos is known for its Nicaraguan-influenced menu, especially a cut of beef tenderloin that put the restaurant on the map.

Churrascos is known for its Nicaraguan-influenced menu, especially a cut of beef tenderloin that put the restaurant on the map.

Photo: Julie Soefer

Churrascos is known for its Nicaraguan-influenced menu, especially... Photo-5806927.80152 - Houston Chronicle

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PakistanHimalaya Restaurant: Your best bet at this small southwest diner is to let chef-owner Kaiser Lashkari (pictured) order for you. In the end, he’s going to bring you what he wants you to have. Luckily, it’s all good, from braised meats and fragrant curries to the fluffiest biryani and the garlic-flecked naan. 6652 U.S. 59 S., 713-532-2837 less

Pakistan
Himalaya Restaurant: Your best bet at this small southwest diner is to let chef-owner Kaiser Lashkari (pictured) order for you. In the end, he’s going to bring you what he wants you to have. Luckily, ... more

PolandPolonia: Houston may boast only one Polish restaurant, but it’s a good one. The goulash is grand, the potato pancakes are well-executed and the dining room is inviting. Ignore the awful strip-center setting, it’s only scary on the outside. 1900 Blalock, 713-464-9900 less

Poland
Polonia: Houston may boast only one Polish restaurant, but it’s a good one. The goulash is grand, the potato pancakes are well-executed and the dining room is inviting. Ignore the awful strip-center ... more

PortugalOporto: This small Greenway Plaza-area wine bar specializes in tapas such as shrimp in a piri piri sauce and curry chicken-filled empanadas. The staff is friendly and knows its wine. Check out the easy-on-the-wallet happy hour. 3833 Richmond, 713-621-1114 less

Portugal
Oporto: This small Greenway Plaza-area wine bar specializes in tapas such as shrimp in a piri piri sauce and curry chicken-filled empanadas. The staff is friendly and knows its wine. Check out the ... more

SpainRioja: Thanks to the passionate attentions of Spanish chef-owner Ignacio Fonseca and his partner, Luis Acosta, this west-side tapas restaurant is a destination restaurant for anyone who cares about food and wine. 11920 Westheimer, 713-249-1727 less

Spain
Rioja: Thanks to the passionate attentions of Spanish chef-owner Ignacio Fonseca and his partner, Luis Acosta, this west-side tapas restaurant is a destination restaurant for anyone who cares about food ... more

South AfricaPeli Peli: Diners in this dramatic dining room sit under a modern interpretation of an acacia tree. Its changing colors representing the 12 tribes of Israel are a tribute to chef/owner Paul Friedman’s faith. Service is as good as the food. Love the house-label South African wines. 110 Vintage Park, 281-257-9500 less

South Africa
Peli Peli: Diners in this dramatic dining room sit under a modern interpretation of an acacia tree. Its changing colors representing the 12 tribes of Israel are a tribute to chef/owner Paul ... more

ThailandThai Gourmet: This may be the most consistent kitchen in town. We’ve never been disappointed, and we’re quite sure we’ve ordered everything on the menu. Don’t miss the spicy cheese rolls (although we don’t remember being served these in Thailand) and the Triple Spicy Fish (if you can stand the heat). Chef-owner Toon makes frequent forays from the kitchen to check on guests, and her husband, Kru Pong, sometimes treats guests to demonstrations of martial arts by his students from the neighboring Thai boxing school. 6324 Richmond, 713-780-7955 less

Thailand
Thai Gourmet: This may be the most consistent kitchen in town. We’ve never been disappointed, and we’re quite sure we’ve ordered everything on the menu. Don’t miss the spicy cheese rolls ... more

Photo: John Everett, Houston Chronicle

Thailand Thai Gourmet: This may be the most consistent kitchen in... Photo-1538152.80152 - Houston Chronicle

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VietnamQue Huong: Like many Vietnamese restaurants, this west-end diner has a menu featuring more than 300 items. Your best bet is to take along several friends and order as many dishes as your pocketbooks and bellies will allow. Don’t miss the Five-Spice Chicken. 8200 Wilcrest, 281-495-2814 less

Vietnam
Que Huong: Like many Vietnamese restaurants, this west-end diner has a menu featuring more than 300 items. Your best bet is to take along several friends and order as many dishes as your pocketbooks and ... more